Update: Unfortunately, voters in California rejected an opportunity to eliminate hurdles to build affordable housing and public infrastructure and voted No Proposition 5 The state proposition received 44% of the votes, and it needed at least 50% to pass.
Prop 5 would have empowered local voters to approve bonds for affordable housing, critical public infrastructure, and emergency response in their own communities with a 55% vote and not the current 67% of votes requirement—if those bonds include strict accountability, oversight, and transparency provisions to help ensure programs deliver results. Prop 5 would allow local communities to have the tools to build new affordable housing for working families, seniors, veterans, and first-time homebuyers and renovate existing affordable owner-occupied and rental housing.
Learn more about the campaign by visiting the website: www.yesonprop5.org.
Why It Matters
The State of California is facing unprecedented issues related to housing affordability, aging infrastructure, and effective emergency and fire response. According to a report by the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, California homes are about twice as expensive as the typical US home and have been steadily increasing. In fact, payments for a mid-tier home were nearly $6,000 a month in June 2024—an 84 percent increase since January 2020. The staggering costs of housing in California have contributed to a massive unhoused crisis in the state and has resulted in growing rates of inequality.
An increasingly unaffordable housing market is not the only issue facing the state. As climate impacts worsen, California’s aging infrastructure places historically marginalized communities, sensitive habitats, and property at risk. Climate change will result in increased risks of flooding, sea level rise, and more intense wildfires—all of which will pose challenges to existing infrastructure and public health.
Originally published on September 23, 2024.
